ITV should buy up EFL TV rights

[Nick Bateman]

Since Sky have acquired the television rights to the EFL from Peter "Grisly" Risdale in the failed ITV Digital fiasco, they have treated the league with contempt as though it were their plaything to 'knobble' their opponents' BT showings of Premier League matches at the detriment of the chosen Championship match.  Risdale turned down a then £225 million offer only for BSB to fold leaving Sky to obtain the rights for a pittance.

Sky have no interest in the lower leagues; they use them for the purpose above, and to give the impression they have lots of footy to tempt the gullible to subscribe.

The rights currently are at £90m per annum, a paltry sum when compared to the vast sums offered in the PL, and one can see the deal is out of kilter with modern pricing.

When one considers the likes of Leeds United, Aston Villa, Wolves, Birmingham, Notts Forest and of course Fulham, all clubs worthy of PL status, one can see the discrepancy in the financing.

Sky's antiquated format of "we shall choose which game everyone is forced to watch" needs modernising as has been mooted by Derby County chairman Mel Morris.  He suggests the same according to the Daily mail, that the clubs are worth £300 million, three times the current deal (or one and a half Neymars), with far more coverage of games.

For Fulham, this would mean more funds to compete for players and less restraint by the uncompetitive "Fair Play" system.  For fans, it will mean less struggling to get "streams" and access to live games via the clubs' websites or advertisement subsidised TV channels.

Hence I would suggest the perfect avenue for ITV, who once upon a time, showed live PL games and then Champions League matches.  Surely they are looking to restore their services and viewing figures, especially in the barely watched channels ITV2 and ITV3.  ITV4 occasionally shows a live game; they could do this more often.

And a deal of £300million in today's terms is good value for such a widely watched sport.

The latest deal with Sky is due to expire in 2019, with an extension rejected by the EFL.  This has prompted interest from BT to buy up the franchise, but ITV would be foolish not to become involved in the bidding.

No point considering BBC: they are only interested in political correctness, ensuring Doctor Who is a woman much to it's few fans outrage, and televising the equivalent level of "park football" from the ladies' game.
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[hovewhite]

It should be worth a lot more to EFL clubs money wise no doubt about that.

[fulhamben]

I'd rather never see a game on telly again than let itv have the rights back. They nearly destroyed the pyramid as we know it.

[Nick Bateman]

That is like cutting one's nose off to spite one's face.  The money was so far remotely different in the days of BSB than today, things have to be redressed.  How can £225 million be offered ten years ago, and Sky can buy the rights for a meagre £90m today?? ITV offered £225m from what they were contracted to (I believe was £350m) and Risdale refused the compromise.  ITV Digital folded to avoid paying the original contract.

And £90 million compared to £3 BILLION is hardly a "pyramid".

[Fulhamerica23]

Simple fix: televise all matches (much like iFollow is aiming) and then blackout the games if certain attendance requirements aren't met. For instance, say the attendance requirement is 60% capacity...then if a Fulham match has sold 60% of tickets by the day before the kickoff, then no blackout. If not, no one in London can watch the game, but outside in the other markets people are able to watch.

This does two things: makes sure fans are still getting into the ground and supporting the clubs; doesn't punish fans who live outside of London who can't feasibly make it to Craven Cottage.

[Nick Bateman]

Simple fix: televise all matches (much like iFollow is aiming) and then blackout the games if certain attendance requirements aren't met. For instance, say the attendance requirement is 60% capacity...then if a Fulham match has sold 60% of tickets by the day before the kickoff, then no blackout. If not, no one in London can watch the game, but outside in the other markets people are able to watch.

This does two things: makes sure fans are still getting into the ground and supporting the clubs; doesn't punish fans who live outside of London who can't feasibly make it to Craven Cottage.

Interesting concept.  Of course I am only concerned for the likes of Peabody, who may not be able to attend a match physically; I have no such issues.

[Jims Dentist]

Would it mean even more shite KO times and days?

[Nick Bateman]

Would it mean even more shite KO times and days?

Eventually they will allow any game to be viewed the choice with the supporters of each club.  Then all games can kick off at 3pm Saturday, we pay by subscription to watch Fulham.